While the official holiday calendar marks the third Monday of November as the date to commemorate the 1910 outbreak of the Mexican Revolution, festivities along Lake Chapala’s north shore will span Monday, November 19, and Tuesday.
November 20, marked by action packed parades and sports events customarily held in each town.
Civic parades running along central thoroughfares showcase school kids dressed as rabble troops marching to battle, or posing on motorized floats to depict political figures and historical scenes of the era. Alternatively, they are outfitted in sports uniforms to perform synchronized routines and athletic stunts at different points along the route. Marching bands, community organizations and charro equestrians round out the patriotic cavalcades that will delight spectators with a bounty of colorful “Kodak” moments.
Chapala proper celebrates the holiday on November 19, starting with a flag ceremony on the steps of City Hall, 8:45 a.m. Government officials proceed from there to the corner of Avenida Madero and Paseo Ramon Corona, leading the desfile on a full loop on the main thoroughfare. The government is encouraging participants to represent environmental themes this year.
Sticking to the original holiday date, Ajijic and Jocotepec commemorate Día de la Revolución Mexicana on Tuesday, November 20.
The Ajijic parade starts at the west end of La Floresta, 9 a.m., following Calle Constitucion-Ocampo to Seis Esquinas before turning back to the plaza along Hidalgo.
Jocotepec’s celebration kicks off with a flag ceremony at the town square, 9 a.m., immediately followed by the parade snaking through the center of town.
Motorists are advised that traffic along main traffic arteries will blocked off for several hours while the parades are underway.
As mandated under federal labor laws, full- and part-time domestic workers and other salaried employees are entitled to a paid day off November 19. Government offices and banks close for the occasion, reopening for normal business hours on the following day.